US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is visiting South Korea and Japan as part of the Biden administration's Indo-Pacific strategy to counter Chinese ambitions and deter North Korean nuclear threats. In South Korea, he will discuss cooperation on global challenges with officials despite recent political turmoil following President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment. In Tokyo, Blinken will review progress in the US-Japan alliance, including a $3.64 billion arms sale that China has criticized as destabilizing the region. He will also meet with French officials in Paris to discuss Middle East and European security issues, particularly in Ukraine.
https://www.voanews.com/a/blinken-heads-to-south-korea-japan-france-/7924746.htmlUnited Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has called for a critical examination of the path forward on the Cyprus issue. In his report on the mission of Good Offices in Cyprus, he noted that despite efforts by Personal Envoy Maria Angela Holguin Cuellar, no common ground was found between Turkish Republic of North Cyprus (TRNC) President Ersin Tatar and Greek Cypriot leader Nikos Christodoulides. However, a positive development occurred when Guterres hosted an informal dinner with the two leaders in New York on October 15, where they agreed to take constructive next steps. The report also mentions that the leaders plan to hold an informal meeting under the auspices of the Secretary-General in the near future to discuss the way forward.
https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/un-chief-calls-for-critical-look-at-path-forward-on-cyprus-issue-204344The Kashmiri people on both sides of the Line of Control are observing Right to Self-Determination Day, a day that marks their internationally recognised right to self-determination and freedom. The All Parties Hurriyat Conference has called for rallies, seminars, and conferences worldwide to remind the United Nations of its obligation to implement relevant resolutions and resolve the Kashmir dispute. In Indian illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), posters have appeared in Srinagar and other areas urging the UN to resolve the dispute in harmony with its resolution passed on January 5, 1949. The posters feature Pakistan's army chief, General Asim Munir, and highlight the importance of self-determination as a vital component of human dignity and freedom. In Azad Jammu and Kashmir, a special session of the AJK Legislative Assembly will be held to draw attention to the international community's obligations on Kashmir and gross human rights violations by Indian troops.
https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/1268844-kashmiris-worldwide-commemorating-right-to-self-determination-dayTurkish officials have expressed a willingness to help resolve the ongoing conflict in Sudan. Following a meeting between Turkish official Duran and Burhan, Turkey stated that it is ready to mobilize regional actors to aid in ending the crisis. The UAE has also welcomed Turkey's diplomatic efforts and offered to cooperate with them to find a comprehensive solution to the conflict. However, analysts warn that external involvement may prolong the suffering of Sudanese civilians who are already facing famine and displacement due to the war between Burhan and Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, which has killed tens of thousands of people and displaced 12 million more.
https://www.khaleejtimes.com/world/africa/sudans-army-chief-welcomes-turkish-offer-to-resolve-conflict-foreign-minister-saysUkraine's Foreign Minister Sybiha discussed key issues with Turkish counterpart Hakan Fidan, including the conflict on the battlefield, security concerns in the Black Sea region and the situation in Syria and the Middle East. They agreed to strengthen their strategic partnership through coordinated efforts.
https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/turkish-ukrainian-top-diplomats-discuss-regional-conflicts-204364US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is set to meet with senior officials from South Korea, Japan and France as part of a trip aimed at strengthening key alliances. In the talks with Seoul, he will discuss efforts to promote a free and prosperous Indo-Pacific region amid concerns over North Korea's military threats. He will also meet with Japanese officials to reaffirm the importance of the US-Japan alliance in addressing regional and global issues. Additionally, Blinken plans to address challenges in Europe and the Middle East with senior French officials as part of the bilateral partnership.
https://www.lokmattimes.com/international/blinken-to-visit-south-korea-to-reaffirm-ironclad-alliance-state-department/External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar reaffirmed India's support for Maldives' progress and prosperity in line with New Delhi's Neighbourhood First policy and vision SAGAR. During a meeting with Maldives Foreign Minister Abdulla Khaleel, India signed agreements on implementing the next phase of High Impact Community Development Projects to promote growth in the Maldives and strengthen ties between both countries.
https://www.lokmattimes.com/international/will-continue-to-be-steadfast-supporter-of-maldives-progress-eam-jaishankar/Pakistan's newly appointed additional permanent representative to the UN, Asim Iftikhar, emphasized that his country aligns with the United Nations' stance on the Kashmir issue, which recognizes it as a disputed territory and promises the Kashmiri people the right to self-determination. In an exclusive interview with The News, Iftikhar stated that Pakistan remains committed to implementing this decision. He also highlighted Pakistan's dedication to playing a constructive role in promoting peace through the UNSC framework, despite criticizing the influence of veto powers held by major global players and structural flaws within the UN system. Asim Iftikhar has taken on the role of alternate envoy to the UN following his tenure as Pakistan's ambassador to France and will succeed Munir Akram as Pakistan's permanent representative to the UN after Akram's retirement.
https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/1268141-pakistan-reaffirms-commitment-to-un-charter-peace-objectives-as-non-permanent-sc-memberSomalia and Ethiopia have agreed to work together to resolve their dispute after months of escalating tensions. The agreement was reached in Turkey on December 11, with the two countries agreeing to begin technical negotiations by the end of February. Ethiopian troops are currently stationed in Somalia as part of an African Union peacekeeping mission and a bilateral arrangement. Their withdrawal is feared to weaken the fight against al-Shabab, an al-Qaida affiliate that has been waging an insurgency since 2007. The dispute has raised concerns about wider instability in the Horn of Africa, with Somalia drawing closer to Ethiopia's traditional rivals Egypt and Eritrea as a result.
https://www.voanews.com/a/ethiopia-defense-minister-visits-somalia-in-sign-of-detente-/7923213.html